Jack struck in.
"You are the two single ladies. You," pointing to Ella, "are one of them, and you," pointing to Madge, "are the other."
Ella was impatient.
"Jack, I do wish you wouldn't interrupt.--Mr. Graham, do go on. It's like a romance. My curiosity is such that I feel as if I were all pins and needles."
Bruce Graham continued.
"'And you, Mr. Nicholls,' I said, 'have you formed no theory of your own upon the subject?'
"Old Nicholls leaned back in his chair. He put his hands into his two pockets, and he looked at me out of the corners of his eyes.
"'I have--I have formed a decided theory. But, upon my word, I don't know what right you have to ask me.'
"'I trust, before we part, to prove to your entire satisfaction that I have every right. What's the nature of your theory?'
"'What's the nature of your right?'